Alumna Hannah Jupiter ’00 recently found herself back at Gaynor, but this time not as a student. After five years of teaching in the art department at the Churchill School and Center, Ms. Jupiter is excited to return to Gaynor, a school that helped her grow. We sat down and asked her a few questions about her time as a student, as well as her hobbies and art.
- What has it been like to be back at Gaynor? How has the school changed and how has it stayed the same?
The school still holds the same values from when I was a student. The teachers and staff are an extremely dedicated team and have the students best interest in mind. When I was a student, I was in the Upper West Side townhouse location, a small intimate building. It’s great to see all the space and new resources that are available to the students and staff now. During this time, it is an honor to be a part of the Stephen Gaynor School community. Everyone has adapted and adjusted in these difficult times together. So far it has been a smooth transition jumping on board in the middle of the school year.
- What is your favorite Gaynor memory?
One of my favorite Gaynor memories would have to be in my first year at Stephen Gaynor School. My homeroom had a family of caterpillars, and we watched them spin cocoons and turn into monarch butterflies. We released the butterflies at the end of the day in front of the building and watched them fly away. I remember being so fascinated by the process of how things can grow and transform. I still remember holding the butterfly on my finger and watching it fly away. It probably flew across the street into Central Park!
- Do you have any hobbies?
I have a strong passion for art, animals, and nature. I try to explore a new national park each year and a museum once a month when I have the time. Of course, I can not forget to mention my two dogs — I take them everywhere I go!
- What is the medium of art you work with?
I am a mixed media artist, primarily collage. Throughout the year I collect books, magazines, and different papers and collage them with different paint, epoxy, glitter, or whatever is laying around the house. It is important in my work to try something, and I often experiment with an unknown material or an approach I may not have tried before to keep things fresh and challenge myself.
- What does it mean to you to be working at Gaynor? What is the most meaningful or helpful thing Gaynor taught you?
Stephen Gaynor School made learning an enjoyable experience for me, and I am grateful for my learning experience. I still consider myself a student of the world. We never stop learning, and we all continue to learn, no matter what age we are in life. I hope I can inspire Gaynor students to carry their creativity through all different areas in their life, and that art can be fun and not just a “perfect picture” you see in a museum.
- What have you been up to post graduation from Gaynor?
I received my Bachelor of Fine Arts from Adelphi University. Shortly after, I started a small business teaching art programs in nursing homes and teaching art to high school and middle school students at the Churchill School and Center.
- What is your advice to future Gaynor alumni?
Being a Stephen Gaynor School student is a really awesome experience! Do one thing a day that makes you smile, and when you’re not doing the things that make you smile, try your best to have a positive outlook. Everything is a little more interesting with some paint on it!